When the Yankees signed Jay Bruce to a minor league deal over the winter, they put the screws to their incumbent fifth outfielder, Mike Tauchman. Though the favorite to snag a bench spot entering camp, Tauchman would have to fend off the veteran Bruce, especially after a poor 2020 had thrown his future with the club into doubt.
Luke Voit’s injury provided a significant plot twist. The question no longer pertained to whether Tauchman or Bruce would make the team. No, now the question is: can Jay Bruce pass as the starting first baseman in the Bronx?